Africa has marked one year since the last case of recorded polio. The last recorded case on the continent was in Somalia in August 11 2014. The Health officials must wait two more years before declaring the continent free from the highly infectious virus. The UN children’s agency UNICEF, which plays a key role in polio vaccinations.
Nigeria marked one year since its last recorded case of polio in July. It is one of only three countries — along with Pakistan and Afghanistan – where the virus remains endemic.
Points to Note
- Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus called Polio Virus which invades the nervous system and may cause irreversible paralysis.
- Polio is easily prevented through a vaccine, but there is no cure.
- The disease does not naturally occur in any other animals.
- Transmitted from person-to-person, often through faeces, it mainly affects children under five.
- Initial symptoms can include fever and pains in the limbs, and can lead to permanent paralysis.
- When the global polio eradication drive began in 1988, more than 350,000 children around the world were paralyzed by the virus each year. Last year, only 359 were.
Test Your Knowledge
Who developed the Polio Vaccine?
The National Immunization Day is observed on
